Islamist parties to rally on Friday

The same group held a demonstration at Rabaa Al-Adaweya last Friday under the title “yes to legitimacy and no to violence.”(Photo by Mohamed Omar)

Islamist groups announced in a press conference on Monday that they will continue their demonstrations and sit-ins supporting President Mohamed Morsi on Friday.

The Alliance of Islamic Parties announced it would conduct an open-ended sit-in called “legitimacy is a red line” at Rabaa Al-Adaweya starting Friday.

A statement released by the group blamed ongoing bloodshed and violence throughout the country on “militias of the covert counterrevolution of the Tamarod movement, the National Salvation Front, and Al-Tayar Al-Shaaby.”

The group called on Egyptians to unite in order to avert “desperate attempts by the enemies of the revolution to drag the country into chaos.” It also accused the opposition of attacking innocent citizens, besieging mosques and attacking police officers.

The statement also commendedMinister of Defence Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi’s comments made on Sunday, saying they demonstrated the commitment to the democratic outcome of the presidential elections.

The Islamist parties also commended the Ministry of Interior for its commitment to protect peaceful demonstrations, and called on it to work to maintain state institutions and appropriately deal with incidents of violence.

“The Islamist parties and forces emphasise that a departure from the peaceful way is a coup against legitimacy and against the will of the people and attempting to turn the clock back,” added the group.

The parties also called for mass rallies in various governorates leading up to Friday, and said the purpose of the demonstration at Rabaa Al-Adaweya in Cairo was “to protect the revolution and achieve stability.”

Twenty parties and movements signed the statement including Al-Asala Party, the Muslim Brotherhood, Al-Islah Party, the Building and Development Party, the Salafi Front, Al-Jamaa Al-Islamiya, the Freedom and Justice Party, Al-Fadila Party, Al-Wasat Party, and Al-Watan Party.

The same group held a demonstration at Rabaa Al-Adaweya last Fridayunder the title “yes to legitimacy and no to violence.”

Opposition groups intend to demonstrate on 30 June, the one-year anniversary of Morsi’s inauguration, against the president and the Muslim Brotherhood.